Schneider Electric has successfully qualified all equipment for the Controls Power Distribution Units (CPDU) for the Åsgard subsea compression project on schedule.

The selection of electronic components used in the CPDU was critical since they had to pass the stringent Technology Qualification Program which refers to the ISO 13628-6 standard relative to subsea production control systems. The ISO standards specifies shock, vibration and temperature tests.

Schneider Electric designed a specific generic test bench for all equipment from the qualification process to the environmental stress screening tests for each individual component installed in the CPDU. The successful testing was the key to launching the fabrication of the first CPDU.

This ONS 2012 Innovation Prize awarded project for subsea compression is located off the coast of Norway at a depth of 300 meters. Åsgard is designed and built by Aker Solutions and operated by Statoil.

Safety in the workplace is vital. It is important to provide a safe working environment for the employee. From the industrial sector to the office sector, effective health and safety procedures have to be in place.

The Employers Responsibilities

As an employer or owner of a business in the UK one will have to appoint a person with appropriate skills and knowledge to manage health and safety in the workplace. You may need advice on how to fulfil your duties for this. As a business you are bound by health and safety law in the UK. The emphasis is on the prevention of accidents and illness while at work. A positive health and safety culture contributes to a successful working environment. Effective training in health and safety implementation is important.

Accidents, costs and the Health and Safety Act

Accidents within the workplace can be quite serious. A business can incur major financial costs through accidents and occupational ill health. An insurance policy will not cover you for all the costs. Staff is often left distressed and demotivated as a result of accidents and illness. A business competent in health and safety will minimise risks to the workforce. The Health and Safety Act 1974 clearly states that an employer has to provide “information, training and supervision” for health and safety. A health and safety policy will outline who is responsible for what within your organisation.

Relevant Actions to be taken regarding Health and safety

To reinforce health and safety within the workplace it is required that a health and safety law poster is displayed where it can be easily read over. A risk assessment will identify the health and safety risks within a business. One should think about how accidents occur and potential hazards within the workplace. The risks should be documented. Statistics made available by HSE illustrate that over 200, people are “killed each year in accidents at work”. Over two million suffer illnesses, which are work-related or made worse due to the type of work one engages in. The employees should be provided or referred to a supplier of professional work wear to carry out one’s duties if required. Moreover, investing in workplace safety signs around the workplace could save you lots of money in accident claims in the future.

Consultation and First Aid

As an employer talking to staff, listening to their viewpoint, allowing them to voice their concerns and influencing the management of health and safety in the workplace is important. This is known as a consultation process. First aid within the workplace is very important as some employees may need immediate attention. Appointing a first – aider that is trained by a recognised organisation, competent in emergency first aid at work is worth considering. Records of accidents and illnesses that occur at work should be kept by law.

With its reputation for innovative hydrographic instruments, Valeport is delighted to announce the launch of the VRS20 Radar Level Sensor. Using non-contact technology, the VRS20 can be installed easily to measure water level in a wide variety of applications.

The VRS20 uses 25GHz pulsed k-band radar to measure water level to an accuracy of ±10mm (this is unaffected by changes in water density or atmospheric condition). It has been designed to work seamlessly with Valeport’s TideMaster tide logger or can operate as a standalone device with optional integrated GPRS telemetry. Alternatively it can interface with a third party data logger.

Kevin Edwards, Sales and Marketing Manager at Valeport, explains more about the benefits of the VRS20, “We have responded to the market and developed a water level measuring instrument that uses non-contact radar technology to avoid the issues of traditional submerged devices, such as fouling and corrosion. Installation couldn’t be easier, with integrated spirit bubbles for levelling and an integral mounting bracket with tool-free adjustment.”

Data collection is a simple process for the VRS20, with RS232, RS485 and SDI 12 communication as standard. With a wide range 9 – 28v DC power supply, the device is also versatile. The VRS20 comes in a fully sealed injection moulded housing which is rated to IP67, complete with a bar fixing for GPS antenna use. With all these features, the VRS20 will be ideal for use in port and harbour operations, surveying and monitoring deployments.

Valeport will be showcasing the VRS20 at Ocean Business 2013, along with its other world-leading oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instruments. Valeport will be at stand M1 at Ocean Business 2013, April 9-11, at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. Full technical details of the VRS20 can be found on Valeport’s website at: www.valeport.co.uk.

Drilling of exploration well 8/5-1 on the Ogna prospect in licence PL453S in the North Sea is about to be completed. Norwegian Energy Company ASA (Noreco) has through its subsidiary Noreco Norway AS a 25 percent interest in the licence, which is operated by Lundin Petroleum. The well is dry. Read more…

The National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) and the National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) will found an organization in order to help foreign and domestic oil companies to prevent uncontrolled release of oil and gas from wells. Read more…

JIASHAN, China, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — ReneSola Ltd (“ReneSola” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SOL), a leading global manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (“PV”) modules and wafers, today announced that the Company has shipped over 100 megawatts (“MW”) of PV modules to customers in Australia since January 2012. Read more…

Swiber Holdings Limited (“Swiber” or together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), a world class integrated construction and support services provider to the offshore industry, announced that it has been awarded contracts worth approximately US$153 million. The contracts, which mark the first wins in 2013, largely entail transportation and installation of pipelines and offshore structures in Southeast Asia. Work for these contracts are expected to commence immediately with expected completion by 2013. Read more…

Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC) today announced the award of a contract from Talisman Sinopec Energy UK Limited to install two 5 kilometre pipeline bundles. The contract, valued at US$285 million is for the provision of subsea construction services in support of Talisman Sinopec Energy UK’s Montrose Area Redevelopment Project. Read more…

CALGARY, Feb. 26, 2013 /CNW/ – Desmarais Energy Corporation (TSXV: DES) (the “Corporation” or “Desmarais”) announces that a Farm-Out horizontal well in the Virginia Hills area located at 1-20-64-13-W5M has spudded, with drilling scheduled to take approximately 25 days. Pursuant to the farm-out arrangements, Desmarais has a 5% before payout royalty interest on 32.598% of production and a 30% working interest on 32.598% after payout in S/2 of 20-64-13-W5M. Read more…

CALGARY, Feb. 26, 2013 /CNW/ – Imperial Oil has acquired a 50-percent participating interest in Celtic Exploration Ltd. (“Celtic”) following the close of its acquisition by ExxonMobil Canada today. This occurred by means of a sale of a 50-percent interest in Celtic’s assets and liabilities from ExxonMobil Canada to Imperial Oil, which represents about a $1.6 billion investment by Imperial Oil. Read more…

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Bayport International Holdings, Inc. (OTCPINK: EXTO). Today they are pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Intent to purchase an interest in 2 oil wells located in the Milford Lease, Forest County, Pennsylvania. Read more…

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Levant LNG, a subsidiary of Pangea LNG B.V., today announced it has executed a historic Heads of Agreement (“HOA”) with Gazprom Marketing and Trading Switzerland AG (“GM&T CH”), a subsidiary of major gas industry leader Gazprom, in which the parties agreed to negotiate in good faith a binding agreement for the sale of the LNG to be produced at the Floating LNG (FLNG) facility. Read more…

For the very first time, Director General Bente Nyland of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) will present estimates of oil and gas resources in the southeastern Barents Sea and in the waters off Jan Mayen. This will take place in Alta on 27 February at 15:00 hours. Read more…

CALGARY, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra Energy”) (NYSE MKT: GTE) (TSX: GTE), a company focused on oil and gas exploration and production in South America, today announced its financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012. All dollar amounts are in United States (“U.S.”) dollars unless otherwise indicated. Read more…

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — FX Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FXEN) today reported that it has drilled and cored a 36 meter section of Main Dolomite in the Tuchola-3K well. The Main Dolomite is the first of two target zones in this well. Very good gas shows were observed throughout the entire 36 meter section, but the drill stem test (DST) of the Main Dolomite from 2,641 to 2,677 meters did not encounter any inflow of gas or fluid. Core samples confirm that the Main Dolomite is tight and the fractures are cemented with anhydrite. Drilling will continue on the Tuchola-3K well to test a projected Devonian oil target at a depth of 3,180-3,820 meters. Read more…